Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers are trained to look beyond the initial traffic stop for possible indicators of criminal activity. In 2018 the Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated a wide range of felony offenses and saw an increase in total drug arrests from 2017.
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Troopers made 16,956 total drug arrests, representing a 2 percent increase compared to 2017 and a 20 percent jump over the previous three-year average (2015 - 2017).
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“Our highways are often used during the transportation of illegal drugs and other crimes,” said Lt. Tim Karwatske, Chillicothe Post Commander.“By looking for criminal indicators during a traffic stop, troopers are able to keep illegal items, such as drugs, out of our communities.”
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Quantities of drug seizures in 2018 substantially increased over 2017. Seizures such as methamphetamine, a 197 percent increase; fentanyl, 151 percent increase; cocaine, a 94 percent increase and heroin, a 78 percent increase, far surpassed 2017 totals. In fact, troopers recorded historic drug seizures in 2018, with two methamphetamine seizures consisting of 141.8 pounds and 94.6 pounds. Troopers also conducted three of the top 10 heroin seizures on record.
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Motorists are reminded that public involvement is critical to highway safety. Call #677 to report impaired drivers or drug activity.